USC to launch renovation of L.A. Coliseum

11:11 PM, June 25, 2013
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USC football players run out of the tunnel and onto the field of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for their spring game on April 13. The school reached an agreement Tuesday to move ahead with a renovation of the facility, which was built in 1923. / Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports

by Daniel Uthman, USA TODAY Sports

by Daniel Uthman, USA TODAY Sports

USC is going to get a new football stadium. And it's going to be a familiar setting.

In a letter to USC alumni and fans, athletics director Pat Haden wrote Tuesday night that the school has the approval to proceed with its plans to renovate the Los Angeles Coliseum.

The Trojans have played at the Coliseum since 1923, when it opened after two years of construction and a cost of $800,000. It underwent a $15 million renovation in 1993, had $93 million in repairs in 1994 following an earthquake, and had a $6 million press box renovation project in 1995. By the time renovations are completed, Haden wrote, USC will have invested another $100 million in the facility, which hosted Summer Olympics in 1932 and 1984.

I am delighted to share some wonderful news with you. Earlier today, the Board of Directors of the California Science Center voted unanimously to approve the transaction between USC and the State of California that will allow the university to move forward with its plans to renovate the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. This represents a landmark moment in the history of the university, the Coliseum, and the many cultural treasures that call Exposition Park home.

A few days ago, I asked the Trojan Family to come out and support USC at today's hearing. I thank all those who responded to our appeal. Your presence was felt and your thoughtful voice was heard.

For many months, USC has been engaged in a series of negotiations with the representatives of the Science Center and the State of California. While opinions sometimes differed about what was best for the community and this city, I am very pleased that we were able to reach common ground.

Today's unanimous vote is merely the first step in a long journey to restore the Coliseum to its former glory. Over the next decade, USC is committed to investing $70 million to renovate this important venue. By 2054, the university will invest a total of $100 million into the Coliseum.

For several decades, USC has been the Coliseum's most loyal and dedicated tenant. I want to assure you that we are committed to making it a tremendous source of pride for people living in Los Angeles today and for many generations in the future.

I want to thank the California Science Center's Board of Directors and the representatives of the State of California, as well as all of the members of the Trojan Family and the local community. With today's vote, we have proven what can be done when private and public institutions join together to form productive partnerships. And together we have given one of L.A.'s greatest historical gems a much brighter future.